I grew up in Ferguson with very humble beginnings. I learned firsthand that the pathway to success was filled with undue obstacles for many people. Staggering socio-economic disparities – ranging from the achievement gap, wage gap, and recidivism and the Delmar and Olive divides – are all symptoms of a larger regional problem.
Too often, minorities in our community are overlooked and feel they do not have a voice in Jefferson City that represents their interests. It’s time for that to change. North County needs a leader who is not content with only having a position or title. Greater St. Louis needs a civil servant with a fresh perspective and who understands the issues both on the street and in the boardroom.
I have fought for lower-income families and the working class since I started my academic and professional careers. I have worked to connect thousands of under- and unemployed residents with regional employers. I helped bring resources to the community by advocating for physical and mental health facilities geared toward underserved populations and children. I also served as the Affordable Care Act coordinator under the Obama administration.
My dedication to the community deeply stems from my mother and grandparents. I come from a proud union family. My grandfather served his country and taught me that to be a man I must lead. I must uplift the women in our community and leave this world better than the way I inherited it. My grandmother, the first African-American woman to gain an international post in UAW Local 136, taught me accountability. My mother taught me resilience and faith.
I am the proud product of the Hazelwood School District. I am ready to fight to ensure all provisionally accredited public schools provide better K-12 education and resources for STEAM programs and to encourage major regional employers to invest in our school systems to create pipelines from the classroom to a career field.
I will continue to work toward better access to quality health care for all Missouri residents. I will continue to serve as a board director for People’s Health Centers and make sure we’re providing affordable care for mothers and their children. I will serve as a coalition-builder, working with businesses to promote job creation and job training. It’s time to retool workers and make our communities thrive again.
We cannot settle for the status quo. We cannot sleep on the job. It’s time to wake up, get up, get energized and make our voices heard in Jefferson City on August 7.
Brian Williams, a congressional staffer U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, is running for Missouri State Senate in the 14th District in the August 7 Democratic primary.
