Why I Stand With Richmond For All
On December 17th, 2018 I stood with teachers, community members and advocates who are a part of the Richmond For All coalition. While we each bring a unique perspective, the united message is this — our city must prioritize the needs people and communities over private profit.
Below is my statement from our press conference which was held prior to City Council’s formal meeting. I am incredibly thankful to those who stood with me, all who are a part of Richmond For All, and everyone who showed up at the council meeting that night. Our work helped secure an 8–1 vote in support of a citizen commission to review plans for the proposed tax-payer funded coliseum.
But we still have work to do. Please join us — our city will be stronger for it.
I’m Kenya Gibson. I’m a member of the Richmond School Board and a parent of two RPS students. Like most local elected leaders, when I ran for office, I emphasized the dire need to fix our schools — and that’s why I cannot support this coliseum development plan.
As I stand here, I am disappointed that our city has already sunk so much time and money into a proposal which is contrary to a promise to finally do right for our kids — but I am also so proud to be among this group of people today. It takes courage to take a public stand for your beliefs, so moments like this renew my optimism.
I’m optimistic because of the vision that the citizens of Richmond have for this city. And I have such confidence that we are able to put in the work to make this vision a reality. Because we’re smarter now.
You see, back in the day we were proud to just be “informed voters”. That meant, we registered to vote, did some research on the candidates, voted for the lesser evil and kept our fingers crossed for better outcomes.
Today we have evolved to be what I call “working voters”. We know that ultimately, it is our responsibility to make sure the choices made by those we elect reflect our priorities. We are the ones to ensure good governance and transparency. We will make sure that the numbers add up. We will demand that we put our dollars where the city’s needs are greatest.
We know the magnitude of need in our school facilities is audacious. We made that clear at the polls. We have rodents in our buildings, questionable air quality, there are teachers having to change classrooms because of leaky roofs, spaces that become unusable because they are too hot, or too cold. Since I was elected to the board last year, there has not been a single week where I am not taken aback by yet another issue.
So now I am taken aback by this coliseum proposal. We have these incredible needs, and we’re supposed to keep our fingers crossed that in thirty years we’ll be better off? We’re supposed to believe that diverting hundreds of millions in future tax dollars towards private interest will eventually trickle down to serve our needs? We need to file a lawsuit to see the proposal? And we’re supposed to be excited and optimistic regardless?
This proposal just doesn’t align with the vision I’ve heard from the citizens of this city. We don’t want a top-heavy trickle-down approach. We want true community-led solutions. We don’t want plans that are clouded in mystery and then rushed for approval. We want to be a part of the process. We want to put essential public needs first. We want lasting growth that benefits everyone, and not just a few.
And at the end of the day, the folks I know don’t mind having to take a road trip to see Beyonce — but they do mind feeling that they have to move in order to send their kids to a safe and functional school, when Richmond is the place they want to call home.
Thank you.
