Profession: Executive director, Interactive Resource Center

Highest degree earned: Attended UNC-Greensboro

Leadership experience: I have led nonprofit organizations in both Greensboro and Los Angeles. I worked for the State Energy Office overseeing a state-wide energy conservation program. I am the 2016 News and Record Woman of the Year, having been recognized for my contributions to the city.

Civic involvement: I currently serve our community in the following roles: Human Relations commissioner, Police Community Review Board member, United Way Family Success Center Design Team member, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Housing Access and Services Working Group member.

What experience qualifies you to serve on the City Council? I know how to work with diverse populations. I have an extensive track record of creating change and advocating for solutions to benefit communities over my career. I crafted the citys winter emergency shelter plan in 2015. I have worked for nearly a decade alongside City Council and city staff to address the needs in our community.

Name one area of responsibility that belongs to the Greensboro City Council and one that belongs to the county commissioners. Housing services that ensure the stability of and access to our housing stock including code enforcement, zoning and affordable housing are the responsibility of the City Council. Mental health services are a responsibility of county commissioners.

Four initiatives were passed in the 2016 bond referendum community & economic development, housing, parks & recreation and transportation. Which one do you think is most important and will you take the lead on it? What actions would you take?What became the bond referendum was originally designed to be a housing bond to address the lack of access to safe, decent, affordable housing in our community. While other areas are important, housing was, and for me, remains the most critical of the bonds. I serve on the housing access and services working group to help determine best use of those funds.

What do you believe is the greatest obstacle to Greensboros success and what is your solution? As a city, we must develop a strategic development plan to lead us into the future. Public infrastructure investments, land use and zoning changes must have community benefit considerations. Intentional, legitimate participation of impacted communities, beginning at the very earliest stages of planning and throughout implementation must be institutionalized. The fate of neighborhoods should be decided by the people who live there.

What specific plan do you have to bring living wage jobs to economically challenged areas of Greensboro? Incentives should not be considered in any part of Greensboro unless they are attached to living wage provisions for workers. Local hiring components within development projects must be championed to ensure that local workers have access to living wage jobs. I support living wages for all city workers, including temporary and part-time workers coupled with local provisions to encourage the same in the private sector.

What is the most pressing issue the council will face in 2018? Issues of economic equity will play a central role over the next year. Affordable housing, living wage employment and the need for community benefits as part of an equitable development plan will all be critical issues to be addressed. The need for accountability and transparency regarding those and other issues has never been greater than it is now.

What would you do to improve the relationship between Greensboro's City Council and the North Carolina Legislature? City Council has a responsibility to be the voice of the citizenry and to ensure that their concerns are brought to the attention of those within the state legislative body. In instances where Greensboro is the direct target of divisive action at the state level, City Council has a responsibility to protect the rights of Greensboro and should act as tireless advocates in that regard.

What is the best way for the city to address the large and growing problem of food deserts and food insecurity in Greensboro? Improving healthy food access will require comprehensive solutions. Renaissance Community Co-op serves as one shining example that addresses both food insecurity and local hiring. Zoning regulations could be eased to provide access to abandoned lots for use as urban agriculture sites or community gardens. Bus stop farmers markets are another strategy to connect food to people who use our public transportation system.

How would you improve police-community relations in Greensboro? Accountability and transparency at all levels of city government are crucial. To the extent allowable by law, body camera footage should be made available to the public. I support the creation of a citizen review commission that includes monitoring and subpoena power. Further, to increase public trust, this body should issue regular independent reports related to police interactions in Greensboro.

Read more:

At-large: Michelle Kennedy - Greensboro News & Record