All information provided by the candidates.

Ward 7 Candidates:

My name is Kelvin Brown. I grew up in a poor, working class family and was primarily raised by my mother. At an early age I realized that education was my pathway up and out of poverty. I received an academic scholarship to attend Alabama State University and today I posses a bachelor of science degree in criminal law and a masters of business administration degree in global management.

I spent most of my adult life protecting our country from dangers overseas, serving nearly 10 years as a Sergeant in the US ARMY, being deployed on three tours of duty - Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism. I was honored to receive the US Army Achievement Medal (M) and the Distinguished Service Award, to name a couple. As a teaching professional, I worked hard everyday to ensure my students had the necessary resources, instruction and mentorship required to excel inside and outside the classroom. Today, I manage a multimillion-dollar affordable housing portfolio of Fannie Mae working to create a better quality of life for people of color in urban communities all across the US.

I am proud of my community first background and believe Ward 7 deserves a leader that will ensure our community is at the decision making table and our ideas and opinions are always valued. I look forward to serving my neighbors. kelvinebrown.com | @votekelvinbrown

Vincent C. Gray has tirelessly advocated for the residents of the District of Columbia for more than 30 years. His dedication to children and families is the hallmark of his service in the non-profit sector and city government. Vince was born and raised in D.C., attended public schools and is a graduate of George Washington University where he broke the color-barrier that had long existed among fraternities. Vince was first elected to the D.C. Council in 2004; in 2006 he was elected Council chair; in 2010 D.C. mayor, and; in 2016 he was again elected to represent Ward 7 on the Council. When Vince launched his 2020 reelection bid, he punctuated the announcement with these words: "Our work is not finished." Among his many priorities are building a robust healthcare system on the East End of the city, including a new hospital; fully funding Birth-to-Three early childhood education; improving public safety, and; ending the food deserts that exist in Wards 7 and 8. vincegray2020.com | @vincegray2020

Anthony Lorenzo Green (ANC 7C04) is a third-generation native Washingtonian, born & raised in Ward 7 by his grandmother in Deanwood NE. Lorenzo is an advocate & proud product of D.C. public schools as an alumnus of Merritt Elementary Extended School and H.D. Woodson Senior High School.

Anthony Lorenzo Green is the most experienced candidate running in the 2020 election for Ward 7. With nearly a decade of service as an Advisory Neighborhood Commission in both Ward 7 & 8, Green has been on the front lines defending, protecting and fighting for Ward 7 residents. As a missionary for change & an unapologetic soldier working families Commissioner Green has negotiated community benefits agreements for over $100M in community development projects that prioritized affordable housing with replacement units for public housing residents, fought for a quality grocery store coming to Far Northeast communities, and successfully advocated for the first Black-owned medical cannabis dispensary in Ward 7.

Anthony Lorenzo Green has always prioritized dedicated funding for D.C Public Schools. Green has been a stronger advocate against Mayoral control of schools. He believes funding needs to be equitably transferred for appropriate resources for children. In most recent years, Green has been fighting for full funding for DC’s Birth-to-Three legislation, which will provide all DC residents free early childhood education. greenward7.com | @GreenforWard7

James Jennings

Rebecca Morris
rebeccamorrisward7.com

Veda Rasheed
vedarasheed.com
@VedaRasheed

Ward 8 Candidates:


Stuart Anderson is a native Washingtonian, loving father and grandfather. With the slogan, "One Aim One Mission One Ward," Stuart seeks to diligently represent and empower all residents of Ward 8. Formerly the Community Engagement Specialist for the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC), Stuart is the founding Executive Director of Family & Friends of Incarcerated People (FFOIP). Co-founder and Campaign Manager for Don’t Mute My Health, as well as Marketing Manager for Day Eight, and for The Essential Theatre. He is a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia, with a bachelors in Urban Studies; and, the Ward 8 committeeman on the DC Democratic State Committee. Stuart is also the vice-president of the Friends of Parkland-Turner Neighborhood Library. Stuart is currently employed with SEACAP (Social Emotional and Academic success for Children And Parents) as the family engagement and support specialist and a member of the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN). stuart4ward8.com | @Sanderson4Ward8

Mike Austin is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, attorney, community servant, and the ANC 8C Chairman representing Congress Heights. Mike grew up in the Bellevue neighborhood in Ward 8, and he is the oldest of four children. After his schooling, Mike returned home to serve Ward 8. He became the Legislative Director to former Ward 8 Councilmember, LaRuby May, overseeing all policy and legislation for 80,000 Ward 8 residents. There, he wrote countless pieces of legislation to prevent displacement, improve academic outcomes, increase access to quality healthcare, and push criminal justice reform. Mike focused on bold, forward-thinking policies that improved the lives of Ward 8 residents.

Mike also served as the Legislative Director to the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, and was a Vice President at United Medical Center, where he worked to better the health outcomes for his community by improving the services at the primary hospital in Ward 8. MikeAustin8.com | @Mike8Austin

Yaida Ford's mission is to give Ward 8 residents the leadership they deserve while increasing access to opportunities that they need. As the Ward 8 City Councilmember, Yaida will advocate for a quality of life that our residents have lived without for far too long.

Yaida has worked on hundreds of civil rights cases and employment law cases in state and federal courts throughout the US. She has received the Washington D.C. Super Lawyers designation for the last four years, the Trailblazer’s Award from GWAC, previously worked as legislative counsel to the DC Council Committee on Human Services, and worked with many other organizations in her endless quest for justice for the underserved.

Yaida’s work as a civil rights attorney would not have been possible without training from the historic Howard University School of Law. Yaida received a BA from Denison University in Political Science and Spanish. YaidaFord.com

An engaged community advocate with a heart for service, Councilmember Trayon White is just like you. In addition to being a father and a community leader, Councilmember White is a proud graduate of Ballou Senior High School, and life long resident of Ward 8. His upbringing instilled the values of hard work, integrity, and a strong sense of community. Such values have molded Trayon into the public servant he is today - one who puts the needs of the people first.

In 2016, Councilmember White took office as the Ward 8 Councilmember. There, he chairs the Committee on Recreation and Youth Affairs. Councilmember White has championed issues related to crime, education, employment, and housing. He prides himself on being “By the People and For the People” and inspires his community join his fight for equity, dignity, and prosperity for DC residents across the city. TrayonforWard8.com | @TrayonWhite