A mosaic is a beautiful art form, composed of numerous small pieces that come together to create a vibrant and textured experience. Each tile or piece of glass is valuable and essential, with no single piece outshining the others. The true beauty of a mosaic is revealed when all the pieces are seen together as a whole.

Our neighborhoods in Memphis can be likened to pieces of a mosaic. Each one offers art, history, cuisine, music, and a unique sense of place. They are spaces where residents should feel safe and connected to their neighbors, fostering a strong sense of community and neighborhood pride.

Unfortunately, over the past decade, many of these once-thriving neighborhoods have deteriorated. Streets are no longer clean, houses have become unaffordable, and vacant properties scar the landscape. Our government has failed to provide the necessary funding and progressive policies to restore these neighborhoods to their former glory. This cannot continue.

As your Mayor, I will prioritize neighborhood revitalization as a key component of my economic development and affordable housing strategy. My plan includes:

• Incentivizing investment in the redevelopment of abandoned houses and vacant lots.
• Providing assistance to create a new generation of first-time homeowners.
• Increasing investment in public works to clean up sidewalks, streets, and sewer drains.
• Creating urban green spaces for more parks in our neighborhoods.
• Establishing funding for new small businesses to open local shops that serve as community gathering places.

Together, we can polish and revive our neighborhoods, creating a beautiful Memphis mosaic where every neighborhood is valued and contributes to the vibrancy of our city. Join me in this endeavor and let's make Memphis a city we can all be proud of.