Candidate Questionnaire Responses
When in office, what will you do to reduce harm and ensure there is social and economic equity for Black Long Islanders? If you are an incumbent, what policies/initiatives/laws have you supported that do this?
1. Supporting Minority-Owned Small Businesses:
As a daughter of immigrant parents whose livelihood and family depended on the success of their small business ,I understand the importance of entrepreneurship in building stronger communities. I will fight to ensure small businesses thrive in all of our communities. We need less vacant lots in our communities and more thriving small businesses.
I will work to expand the number of Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) to assist more entrepreneurs in developing business management skills and help them obtain financing. As Senator, I also pledge to advocate for increased opportunities for minority- and women-owned enterprises with particular focus on participation in public contract bidding.
2. Affordability: Long Island’s cost of living is a challenge for too many families, including mine. I will work to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize putting money back into the pockets of working families. I will work to address the affordable housing crisis by taxing corporations that buy single-family homes for speculative purposes, and by investing in responsible development to provide more affordable housing options.
3. Police Reform and Public Safety: Our public safety system must be fair and inclusive. I will work to implement police reforms that address racial profiling and systemic discrimination. This includes mandatory training on cultural competency, sensitivity, and de-escalation techniques. I also believe in holding law enforcement accountable for misconduct and advocating for community-based alternatives to traditional policing, ensuring that marginalized communities receive holistic support.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your campaign?
I began my career in public service following my graduation from John Jay College, where I worked with justice-involved youth to reintegrate into their communities through job training and educational programs and connecting them with opportunities. I went on to graduate from Saint John’s University School of Law and for the past ten years I have continued to work in public service. Initially as a Public Defender and I currently serves as a Supervising Court Attorney in Queens.
I am running for office because I have had deep concerns about where our country is headed and what kind of future my children will have. I want my children and future generations to have opportunities, rights, freedoms, clean water and air.
They are too young to understand now, but I never want them to grow up in a world where division, chaos, and hate are accepted as societal norms. I feel, as a parent, I have an obligation to protect them and this is the best way I can do it— by protecting their future.