Far too many people question why I, or anyone for that matter, should run for an At-Large seat on the DC City Council. I'm running for a number of reasons:

I’m a father of three kids in DC public schools, where students eat lunch at their desks because there is no cafeteria or gymnasium for rainy day play. I am troubled by the high school drop-out rate, and the fact that fewer than 50% of DCPS students are meeting math and reading proficiency levels.

I am a mortgage banker who talks with people from all walks of life, levels of education and ethnic backgrounds who can’t afford to live in our city.

I am a concerned citizen that finds the rise in armed robberies, home invasions, sexual assaults and hate crimes against the members of our LGBT community unacceptable.

Moreover, I am tired of people outside of the District asking me about political scandals and illegal activity.

I am a believer in the notion that you are either a part of the problem, or a part of the solution.

Why am I running? I am running to be a part of the solution. I am running because I am an entrepreneur and housing and community development advocate, with a track record of improving people’s lives. My perspectives are broad. My compassion for the less fortunate runs deep because I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.  I am willing to lead the tough conversations that DC's elected officials need to have in order to solve the problems of housing affordability, education, labor and economic development, public safety and lack of senior services.

I am running because I love the city that I grew up in, the District of Columbia, and want it to be a model for other cities across the country.