I’m a father, a musician, a long-time community organizer, and I’m fighting for a Philadelphia that works for all of us.

I was born in Philadelphia over 70 years ago, raised a child, and started my higher learning career at Cheyney University in Thornbury Township, Chester County and Thornbury Township, Delaware County. I cut my teeth fighting mayors and developers who would take publicly funded land for private boondoggles like stadiums, casinos and for-profit charter schools.

Having grown up in a Black family, I know that public spaces are our best shot at an equal society. I depended on my public library, rec center and, of course, my public school to give me the opportunities I’d never have otherwise. That’s why I’ve been so fired up when public spaces go into decline: When a neighborhood park which should provide recreation and relaxation becomes an abandoned eyesore. When a public school closes down. When our streets feel unsafe and abandoned.

In the poorest large city in the U.S., we cannot afford to walk away from our collective responsibility to build the city we need and deserve.

Since coming into city politics in 2000, I’ve transformed the way we look at our politics and our policies. Just see some of my accomplishments below. My work is about strengthening communities and establishing a human rights agenda for everyone: a quality public school for every child, housing as a human right, a justice system that serves the common good, and the belief that one job should be enough.

So yes, you may have seen me or heard about me in Harrisburg demanding our state legislature fund our schools better. And you’ll also see me celebrating the best of Philadelphia by using our voices to bring joy and pride to our city, whether I’m honoring Philadelphia’s civil rights heroes or claiming our local NHL mascot as the non-binary leftist icon this world needs.

And I’m not slowing down. I’ve always believed that cities would define the progress of this nation. Because no matter what’s happening in D.C. or Harrisburg, this is still our Philadelphia.

From debt-free college to fair taxation, from safe and clean communities to a municipal Green New Deal, Philadelphia needs a champion who’s fighting for parents, working families, labor, and Philadelphians everywhere.

Let’s make this happen together.