PLATFORM
I come from a working-class family that have always taught me right from wrong and how to appreciate other peoples' differences. I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO. At an early age, I knew that I had a heart to serve. Not to just serve, but to serve my Community. I got involved with my Community and local Government at an early age and have continued to serve. I want to work for you. There is #OneShelbyCounty. We need Change, Rehabilitation, instead of just incarceration, and Diversity & Inclusion. Everyone have a voice and that voice should be heard. I have the necessary experience and qualifications to bring about Change and my vision for Shelby County is to make it a more Inclusive and Diverse Shelby County.
LIST OF ISSUES
Change
Our Justice System is not perfect, but I believe with the right people in the right places, we can change the stigma of people not feeling as though, they did not have their fair day in Court.
We need to Change the Sentencing Disparities amongst the Justice System and insure that each and every citizen of Shelby County are treated fairly and justly, as EVERY citizen matters.
Rehabilitation
Some of the goals of the Criminal Justice System is to prevent Recidivism and to Rehabilitate Offenders. We need someone in office that understands the individual as a whole and not just the crimes that were committed. Someone who is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards, upholding the principles of Fairness and Impartiality and promoting access to Justice for all members of the community.
With my experience as an Attorney, coupled with being a Licensed Social Worker, I am committed to upholding the Law, Ensuring Fair and Impartial Justice, and Protecting the Rights of all individuals. In addition, I am more than capable and able to assess these type of situations, and to put parameters in place aimed at Rehabilitation, instead of just Incarceration.
Diversity & Inclusion
Cultural Competency, coupled with Diversity and Inclusion is necessary in our society, as they all play a role in how we address issues and deal with people who do not share our same characteristics, socio-economic background, and demographic make as ourselves.
There is a definite need for Diversity and Inclusion amongst the Justice System, as peoples' lives and liberties are in jeopardy. When you have a diverse team, everyone learn from each other and each individual bring their own set of personal experiences; however, when there is a lack of Diversity & Inclusion, there is an appearance of one-sidedness, thus making the environment unwelcoming and leaves an individual feeling as though they will be taken advantage of.
Voter Registration & Restoration
The most important voice that one possess, is their Right To Vote...YOUR VOTE...YOUR VOICE.... If you are not registered to vote, please visit.
If you need to restore your voting rights, please visit.
Protecting Voting Rights after
Shelby County v. Holder 570 U.S. 529 (2013)
It is imperative that EVERY Shelby County resident is a registered voter. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 sought to secure the right to vote for racial minorities throughout the country, especially in the South. Recently, portions of the Act were challenged by Shelby County and the Supreme Court ruled that certain sections of the Act were unconstitutional, as the formulas being used were based on date over 40 years old. See case below.
Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), was a landmark decision of the US Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: Section 5, which requires certain states and local governments to obtain federal preclearance before implementing any changes to their voting laws or practices; and Section 4(b), which contains the coverage formula that determines which jurisdictions are subject to preclearance based on their histories of discrimination in voting. On June 25, 2013, the Court ruled by a 5 to 4 vote that Section 4(b) was unconstitutional because the coverage formula was based on data over 40 years old, making it no longer responsive to current needs and therefore an impermissible burden on the constitutional principles of federalism and equal sovereignty of the states. The Court did not strike down Section 5, but without Section 4(b), no jurisdiction will be subject to Section 5 preclearance unless Congress enacts a new coverage formula.