Cole Hanson
What do you love about the Summit-University District?
I love the people I've met in the neighborhood, the stories I've gathered and memories I've been a part of. Having grown up outside of the district when my father grew up just down the street, living here has given me a real sense of "coming home". As a young father, I get excited about my daughter having such a rich set of opportunities around her in our neighborhood.
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
I was immediately drawn into partnership with my neighbors during the uprising following the murder of George Floyd. Right away, I got to work with the folks at St. James AME to board up and protect the church from those looking to take advantage of the uprising. We had already established some group chats to keep an eye on things around our section of Dale street, but this evolved into a more serious neighborhood watch program to keep an eye out for each other. Along the way, I connected with neighborhood organizations doing food justice work via mobile food shelves or drive-up food distribution.
As the uprising settled but COVID-19 continued to grow, I joined with other community organizers to support our unhoused neighbors in encampments across the city. I assisted in delivering food, propane, and providing emotional support to those in the encampments. As my work role transitioned during the winter I connected many of our neighbors, both housed and unhoused, to testing opportunities for COVID-19 and spare doses of vaccine.
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
I'm committed to keeping Summit-U a safe and accessible place to live. As a new home owner, I want to encourage more home ownership in our area, rather than removal of small homes off to the rental market. Likewise, for our neighbors who are renters, I want to protect their right to housing through strengthened renter's protections and safe living conditions.
As a public health professional, the health of our community is vital to me. Making sure that our sidewalks are well maintained by the city and that green spaces grow (not shrink!) are priorities for me. Whether that means building connections with local gardening collectives or being a point-person for contacts with the parks department, I am glad to represent Summit-U and the green-spaces within our boundaries.
Last - I look forward to having fun and connecting with more people in our neighborhood!
I love the people I've met in the neighborhood, the stories I've gathered and memories I've been a part of. Having grown up outside of the district when my father grew up just down the street, living here has given me a real sense of "coming home". As a young father, I get excited about my daughter having such a rich set of opportunities around her in our neighborhood.
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
I was immediately drawn into partnership with my neighbors during the uprising following the murder of George Floyd. Right away, I got to work with the folks at St. James AME to board up and protect the church from those looking to take advantage of the uprising. We had already established some group chats to keep an eye on things around our section of Dale street, but this evolved into a more serious neighborhood watch program to keep an eye out for each other. Along the way, I connected with neighborhood organizations doing food justice work via mobile food shelves or drive-up food distribution.
As the uprising settled but COVID-19 continued to grow, I joined with other community organizers to support our unhoused neighbors in encampments across the city. I assisted in delivering food, propane, and providing emotional support to those in the encampments. As my work role transitioned during the winter I connected many of our neighbors, both housed and unhoused, to testing opportunities for COVID-19 and spare doses of vaccine.
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
I'm committed to keeping Summit-U a safe and accessible place to live. As a new home owner, I want to encourage more home ownership in our area, rather than removal of small homes off to the rental market. Likewise, for our neighbors who are renters, I want to protect their right to housing through strengthened renter's protections and safe living conditions.
As a public health professional, the health of our community is vital to me. Making sure that our sidewalks are well maintained by the city and that green spaces grow (not shrink!) are priorities for me. Whether that means building connections with local gardening collectives or being a point-person for contacts with the parks department, I am glad to represent Summit-U and the green-spaces within our boundaries.
Last - I look forward to having fun and connecting with more people in our neighborhood!
Laverne McCartney Knighton
What do you love about the Summit-University District?
The diversity and vibrancy of life in the area. Many cultures, many faiths, many generations and family legacies all around reflected in businesses, homes and neighborhoods.
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
Volunteering, meeting with city council representative and legislative representatives, voicing my concerns where needed and cleaning up and picking up trash daily. It’s my mission to have and keep cleaner neighborhoods! I also ran for Senator in D65 in 2020 against 30+ year incumbent.
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
To be a voice and represent the issues and concerns of the people who live and work here. More importantly, to listen, work collaboratively, and take necessary action. To be proactive in engaging with and getting the community involved.
The diversity and vibrancy of life in the area. Many cultures, many faiths, many generations and family legacies all around reflected in businesses, homes and neighborhoods.
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
Volunteering, meeting with city council representative and legislative representatives, voicing my concerns where needed and cleaning up and picking up trash daily. It’s my mission to have and keep cleaner neighborhoods! I also ran for Senator in D65 in 2020 against 30+ year incumbent.
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
To be a voice and represent the issues and concerns of the people who live and work here. More importantly, to listen, work collaboratively, and take necessary action. To be proactive in engaging with and getting the community involved.
Carolyn Brown
What do you love about the Summit-University District?
The neighborhood
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
Yes
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
I'm running to assure the community has a voice and do not fall through the cracks. My seat at the SUPC board will allow me to have an seat at the table to provide insight on what's coming our community and how it will impact our community at large. This includes when developers/business owners approach council for support.
The neighborhood
How have you been involved in your community in the past?
Yes
Please tell us about why you are running to join the SUPC Board:
I'm running to assure the community has a voice and do not fall through the cracks. My seat at the SUPC board will allow me to have an seat at the table to provide insight on what's coming our community and how it will impact our community at large. This includes when developers/business owners approach council for support.
