24 Accomplishments in 2024

As I reflect on 2024, I’m proud to share 24 accomplishments that highlight the progress we’ve made together in Kinston and beyond as a community leader, organizer, and elected official. This year has been filled with transformative moments, from advancing projects that build climate resilience and community connections to celebrating the milestones of Kinston Teens’ 10th anniversary.  I am extremely grateful for the neighbors, friends, and partners who have supported me in my efforts to make a difference in our community. These achievements are a reflection of what is possible when we work together towards a shared vision for our community.

Here’s the list:

1. Secured a $100,000 grant from Comcast and the U.S. Conference of Mayors to support digital equity efforts for the City of Kinston and Kinston Teens.

2. Submitted a transformative $20 million EPA Community Change Grant application to support East Kinston’s revitalization and climate resilience efforts.

3. Presented at the American Society of Landscape Architects’ national conference on “Youth-Led Community Resilience,” showcasing East Kinston’s innovative, equitable development practices.

4. Honored by the African-American Heritage Commission of Kinston and Lenoir County for “outstanding leadership and dedication to the City of Kinston.”

5. Preserved Kinston’s legacy of professional baseball at Historic Grainger Stadium. After the Down East Wood Ducks announced their departure from Kinston, I supported the City Council and Historic Grainger Stadium Commission in securing an expansion team through the Frontier League. The newly established Down East Bird Dawgs will call Grainger Stadium home, ensuring professional baseball remains a cornerstone of Kinston’s culture and economy for years to come.

6. Served as a Delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Nominee for President.

7. Collaborated with state and local leaders to provide support during Tropical Storm Debby, addressing flash flooding impacts in Kinston.

8. Awarded a scholarship to attend the Local Progress National Convening in Oakland, CA, joining local officials advancing racial and economic justice.

9. Organized City of Kinston staff from multiple departments to canvass over 300 homes, engaging residents about city programs and services and directly hiring from citizens about their ideas and concerns.

10. Recognized with a “40 Under 40” Award from Young, Gifted, & Green for my leadership in addressing the climate crisis and promoting environmental justice.

11. Championed Kinston’s reentry into the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments and joined its Board of Directors as a representative of the City of Kinston.

12. Supported the dedication of a historic marker honoring Laura Washington Hardy, Kinston’s first Black librarian, in front of the former East Branch Library.

13. Successfully opposed a proposal to remove stoplights on Queen Street in downtown Kinston, preserving pedestrian and vehicular safety in the heart of our city.

14. Secured historic funding of $655,400 for Kinston’s streets, ensuring their maintenance and a 25-year lifespan for improved infrastructure.

15. Supported the launch of Kinston’s new Social District, allowing for responsible public consumption of beverages from downtown establishments.

16. Assisted the Harris for President campaign with surrogate and campaign efforts throughout Eastern North Carolina, helping with speaker and venue identification for various campaign events in Kinston and Greenville—solidifying our region’s importance in this critical election.

17. Led Kinston Teens to receive its first state grant, the NC Digital Equity Champion Grant, from the NC Division of Broadband and Digital Equity.

18. Revitalized the Downtown Kinston Revitalization (DK) organization by addressing years of disorganization. I led the City Council’s effort to fill all board vacancies, restore consistent meeting schedules, and provide operational stability. These changes enabled DKR to reignite its facade grant program, support the opening of new businesses in downtown, and organize and host a successful Kinston Christmas Parade, reenergizing our community’s holiday spirit.

19. Partnered with my friend Jordan Lopez, Charlotte’s state representative-elect, to launch the “Straight to the Point” Barbershop Project. We traveled across North Carolina hosting conversations in barbershops to engage young Black men in critical discussions about healthcare, public education, violence, and reproductive freedom. These conversations culminated in two filmed events, spotlighting powerful stories from Charlotte and Kinston.

20. Launched Kinston Teens’ Digital Equity Corps, empowering youth to bridge the digital divide by providing technology access and literacy training.

21. Despite opposition from other city councilmembers, initiated efforts to recruit a grocery store to East Kinston, addressing its food desert status. By fostering partnerships with local stakeholders and regional grocers, we laid the groundwork for bringing fresh, affordable food to an underserved area.

22. Announced plans for a new East Kinston Neighborhood Hub, a first-of-its-kind resilient community center featuring a solar microgrid for disaster preparedness, a commercial kitchen, and gathering spaces to foster community connection and resilience.

23. Expanded “DJs at the Polls” to North Carolina, providing DJs at over 1,300 polling sites on Election Day. This initiative energized voters, celebrated democracy, and inspired a wave of civic engagement across the state.

24. Celebrated 10 years of Kinston Teens, leading monumental efforts to empower youth, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life for our community.

Here’s to continued progress and partnership in 2025. Thank you for being part of this journey!