My name is Suud Olat and I am a candidate for Minneapolis City Council Ward 6
special 08/11/2020
Like millions of people around the world and the family of George Floyd, I am
sharing the pain after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday, The
agony and anguish, the resentment and anger of people in our community,
speaking out in response to this disturbing loss of life by the police who have
sworn to protect and provide safety for our community.
First of all, I would like to send my gratitude and best wishes to our
healthcare workers here in our city and all the essential employees who are
taking care of our community. I am impressed by the sheer endurance of our
community in the face of the COVID-19 crisis and I am very sure that we will
pull through it together.
I am your neighbor Suud Olat and I want to represent you on the Minneapolis
City Council.
I came to the United States in 2012 after having lived in a refugee camp in
Kenya for over two decades. My family and I received a warm welcome here, and
we found a home in the Ward 6. Like many immigrants, not only did I manage to
find employment to support my family, but also I carved out time to enroll for
classes and eventually received my Bachelor of Arts degree in International
Relations from St. Cloud State University
Growing up in a refugee camp meant I had to wait in line for everything, often
in vain. A cloud of insecurity constantly hung over my head and I was uncertain
of the future. The stringent policies often in place in the refugee camp made
it difficult for me to accomplish any dream—there was a limit to what I could
become. I endured hunger; I experienced homelessness and unemployment there.
My lived experience from crippling poverty to my fulfilling life today has
informed my perspectives on advocacy and leadership. In my community organizing
work over the last eight years, I have honed my servant leadership skills. For
example, I joined the ONE campaign to highlight the dire situation of the
millions of families here at home and around the world who are battling
poverty. I have and consequently won several awards both here in Minnesota and
beyond, like the Young Leader from Minnesota.
My community organizing in our state gave me the opportunity to listen
firsthand to the concerns of families like yours and mine. This has only
strengthened my desire to make real, meaningful change. That is why I am
running to represent Ward 6 in our great City of Minneapolis.
I will work to ensure everyone in our Ward and even in our city can thrive.
With a rich background in collaborative leadership and community building, I
will prioritize the following:
Tackling our affordable housing crisis: I will take a leadership role with all
partners to expand our affordable housing options. We will incorporate an
ever-greater emphasis on energy efficiency, higher standards of sustainable
building, with transit connections. It’s my top priority to work on these
values in the Minneapolis 2040. Our affordable housing strategies will address
the root causes of poverty so all working families can succeed.
Empowering Small-Businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs: I consider Ward 6 the
small business and entrepreneur capital of Minneapolis. Our city needs to
direct greater support to Ward 6 emerging and established businesses, many
owned by women, people of color and ingenious people. Equitable economic
development and entrepreneurship is a critical component of my campaign to
ensure a thriving, safe and livable neighborhood.
Caring for Our Senior Community: Our community has many senior citizens and
vulnerable adults who need a caring ear and I intend to advocate on their
behalf and ensure they get the care they need at home and that they are treated
with dignity in our larger community. We will ensure they get priority and
protection in access to healthcare, in signing up for classes at our state
colleges, and that their voices are heard.
I have shared parts of my story. I look forward to hearing your stories as
well. Help us transform our community. I want the children in Ward 6 to have
unlimited options for what they can become, just like in other parts of our
city. I want families to be guaranteed wages they can live on and to better
healthcare. More importantly, I am here to listen to you and bring about the
change you want to see.
Please support me to be your champion on the City Council. Together, we can
transform our neighborhoods and communities.
Yours truly, Suud Olat
Please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I
looking forward to hearing from you.